National Security Council transcripts on annexation of Crimea published

Ukrainian politician Borys Bereza published extracts of transcripts from the meeting of the National Security and Defense council of Ukraine back when Russia annexed Crimea.

The transcript mentions possible imposition of martial law. In particular, PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk was considering possible political decisions, since Ukraine didn’t have enough money and military capacity. A possibility of granting Crimea additional autonomy was also considered.

Russia’s invasion in Crimea started at the end of February-beginning of March 2014, when unmarked troops from Russia and Russia’s Black Sea Fleet were drawn to Crimea.

First Russian troops invaded Crimea on February 20. Russian authorities claim to have started the process of “returning Crimea” two days later – on February 22, 2014. Ukrainian Parliament officially announced February 20, 2014 the day when Russian occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol began. On October 7, 2015 President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko signed the law on occupation of Crimea.

After Viktor Yanukovych fled, armed people, including Russian troops, started occupation of administrative buildings in Crimea.

On March 1 self-proclaimed “Head of the Ministers’ Council of Crimea” Sergei Aksionov urged Vladimir Putin to “provide peace” in Crimea. On the same day Putin submitted a suggestion to the Council of Federation about the deployment of Russian troops to Crimea. On March 1, 2014 at 17:20 Russian Parliament voted for deployment of Russian troops to Ukraine and to Crimea in particular. Russian troops started large-scale actions aimed at blocking Ukrainian military bases in Crimea.

On March 16 after the troops were deployed, a so-called “referendum” was organized. Self-proclaimed Crimean authorities stated that 96.77% of Crimean population were in favor of joining the Russian Federation. On March 18 a so-called “agreement” was signed about the admission of Crimea and Sevastopol into the territory of the Russian Federation. Western countries do not recognize annexation of Crimea and have imposed a number of economic sanctions against Russia.

Blocking of military bases continued till the end of March. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported that 4.000 Ukrainian soldiers left Crimea. There were 15.000 soldiers on the peninsula in February 2014

International organizations named annexation of Crimea unlawful and judged Russia’s actions. Western countries imposed a number of economic sanctions. Russia denies occupation of Crimea and calls it “restoration of historical justice”.

Since the Russian Federation established control over Crimea human rights have been neglected, which is signified not only by Ukrainian ombudsmen, but also by PACE.

President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree about the creation of a service on deoccupation of Crimea.